^ I'll take my chances in a crit any day versus an MS150.

Mixture of people who don't ride, are coerced into by co-workers, with the Walter Mitty crowd, and 2000+ riders is a recipe for disaster.

Unfortunately, I have to do the Tour de Cure this year due to professional obligations.

Trying to race a charity ride is a seriously bad idea. It's ok to go hard when opportunity allows, but if you're trying to ride it for time, with all the obstacles you'll confront, you are going to either be extremely frustrated or tempted into sketchy behavior.

Yep. Race in a race, tour in a tour.

I used to be into alot of these charity rides...just solely for the social factor.

The LA Funride used to be one of them. I've been seeing way too much sketch riding...by everybody...from noobs to would be racers. I actually saw some guy flip over the guardrail, someone hit the side of the mountain breaking their frame, and numerous people washing out on loose sand...all down the same hill.

People forget that these are social rides with people of all riding backgrounds...and some with none.

Race a road race...or a crit...not a social ride.

*end get off my lawn rant* LOL!!

Y yo tambien.

In 1976 I was riding my first century and at a rest stop I observed the coolest thing - a three generation group of riders, grandfather, son and grandson were changing a tire on one of the bikes. Apparently it was the grandson's bike because the old man told his grandson, in a good natured way, "I told you it was a dumb idea to use sew-ups!".

I would find the cheapest clinchers and donate the difference to the charity.

How can a tire be flat prone?

I ride Vittoria Rallys, Rallies, whatever. And this time of year I am on Challenge Grifo or Tufo cyclo cross tires. Great ride with the cyclo cross tires pumped to about 60psi. But 175 miles, no big deal. Tires are tires. A little strip of rubber between you and the road. If you run over glass or metal or whatever, you might get a flat, or you might not.

I have only had a problem once with a spare tire moving on me after changing a flat on the road. I like to take a tire that has been used and retire it early to become my spare. It has residual glue and fits the rim well. Putting a spare without glue onto a poorly glued rim will cause trouble, but last year, 20 miles into a very hilly 80 miler I flatted and the spare did not move at all. I have to admit that one of the reasons aside from habit that I ride tubulars is that I have not had the money to get changed over to clinchers! Until then I am happy with tubulars.

My experience with Rallys was dismal, the casing is easily compromised by a bump or pothole allowing for failure in short order. Would never buy one again, only suitable for spares IMO. YMMV

Did do 200 mile events on tubulars in early 70s; no issues (and carried 1 spare)
Moved to sunny Arizona in 1978 and quit riding tubulars as I got 2 flats (thorns) in 20 miles.
Charity rides are NOT races and all kinda folks will be riding, including kids.